Crime & Courts
News

‘Total Chaos’: A Dozen Teens Could Be Charged In Cheyenne Football Game Brawl
Cheyenne police said Thursday that they're recommending criminal charges for a dozen teens ages 13-17 involved in a brawl at a Cheyenne Central High School football game earlier this month. “Total chaos,” is how a witness described the scene.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 24, 2026

Baggs Man Accused Of Breaking Woman’s Jaw, Punching Teen Who Tried To Save Her
Court records that became publicly available Thursday describe allegations that a 39-year-old man broke a woman’s jaw, punched a 15-year-old boy who tried to stop him assulting the woman, then threatened to kill them both during a confrontation in Baggs.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 24, 2026

Day 3 Of Cheyenne Starvation Trial: Husband Blames Wife, Says He Was Deceived
On Day 3 of a Cheyenne man's trial for allegedly starving his son almost to death last year, Darrick Mittlestadt testified Thursday that the 13-year-old’s severe condition was his wife’s fault. “I know I was deceived, misled and lied to,” he said.
Kerry DrakeSeptember 24, 2026

Cheyenne Man On Trial For Starving Son Says, ‘I’m Not A Good Dad’
Accused of starving his adopted teenage son almost to death last year, Darrick Mittlestadt of Cheyenne testified Wednesday that he didn’t see or talk to the boy for “three or four months” despite living in the same house. “I’m not a good Dad," he said.
Kerry DrakeSeptember 24, 2026

Oregon Man Loses Argument That Yellowstone Superintendent's Power Is Unconstitutional
An Oregon man who fished without a license in Yellowstone National Park lost an argument that the superintendent wields crime enforcement power unconstitutionally. He then pleaded guilty and was fined $500 last week.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026

Meth Pipe In Baby’s Crib, Guns Under Bed: Two Charged In Mills Bust
A Mills, Wyoming, couple were in court this week facing felony child endangerment charges after a cracked meth pipe was found in a baby’s crib and two guns under a bed. All the drug stuff was “at least 2 feet away,” the mom told police.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 23, 2026

Ex-Gillette Coach Charged With Lying About Montana Residency For Hunting Tags
A former Gillette baseball coach is charged with lying about his residency to get hunting tags in Montana and killing a black bear, mountain lion, and white-tailed deer buck. If convicted, he could lose hunting privileges in all 50 states for life.
Mark HeinzSeptember 23, 2026

Cody Hit-And-Run Driver Demolishes Homeowner’s Fence, Hit With Felony Charge
A hit-and-run driver accused of demolishing a Cody homeowner’s wooden fence just after midnight Wednesday has been hit with a felony charge. “I could not believe the damage and amount of fence that had been destroyed,” said a neighbor.
Andrew RossiSeptember 23, 2026

Cody Woman Accused In Murder-For-Hire Plot Avoids Life Sentence With Plea
A Cody woman accused to trying to hire a hitman to kill her son-in-law avoids life in prison with her Monday no contest plea, agreeing to 5-7 years. “Works for me,” she told a DCI agent posing as the hitman when he said he’d prefer to shoot the man.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 23, 2026

Doctor Says 50-Pound Cheyenne Teen Looked Like A ‘Concentration Camp Survivor’
A doctor testifying on the first day of Darrick Mittlestadt’s aggravated child abuse trial Tuesday said the 50-pound 13-year-old boy looked like a “concentration camp survivor” when he examined him. Mittlestadt claims his wife was the abuser, not him.
Kerry DrakeSeptember 23, 2026

Fremont County Ambulance: Maybe We Don't Have To Go On Strike After All
The president of the union representing Fremont County's ambulance workers said their planned strike is now delayed to Oct. 1 - the day their company's contract expires anyway. But he was optimistic Tuesday that local governments will soon have a way to keep the service running.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026

Douglas Man Finally In Court, Pleads Not Guilty To 80 Child Sex Abuse Charges
Nearly two months after he fled to California while skipping his arraignment on dozens of child sex abuse and exploitation charges, John C. Smallbone was finally in a Converse County courtroom Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to 80 child sex abuse charges.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 22, 2026

Man Faces Murder Charge After Pickup Plunged Off Wyoming Cliff With Wife Inside
A Colorado man whose phone contained searches for “cliffs near me” before his pickup plunged off a Wyoming mountain road with his wife inside is now wanted in Wyoming for first-degree murder. Investigators say their truck went over the cliff at 57 mph.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 22, 2026

‘Go Get ’Em Boys!’: Fugitive Arrested In Laramie After 100 MPH, Bare-Rim Chase
A Colorado fugitive was arrested after a 100-mph chase on U.S. 287 into Laramie that continued on a bare rim until the driver crashed through a cattle gate. “Go get ’em boys! Go get ’em," cheers a roadside witness who took video as the chase raced past.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 21, 2026

‘Those Brothers Loved Each Other’: Casper Family Grieves After Fatal Shooting
A Casper family is mourning a 24-year-old killed in a shooting Saturday involving his brother, who has since been released from custody. “Those brothers loved each other,” said their great-aunt, who is grieving one nephew and worried for the other.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 21, 2026

Illegal Driver Going Wrong Way In Front Of Sheriff’s Office Was On ICE Watch List
The 17th and final illegal driver arrested during the latest Laramie County traffic safety enforcement operation was going the wrong way on a one-way street in front of the sheriff’s office. He almost hit a deputy and was on the ICE watch list.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 21, 2026

Family Of Gillette Man Sues Co-op, Claims It Caused His Stress-Related Death
A Gillette family is suing a South Dakota cooperative after a 62-year-old businessman died of stress-related ulcers in February. They claim the company deliberately bankrupted the man and ultimately caused his death, allegations the company denies.
Julie MankinSeptember 21, 2026

Manhunt Suspect Hit With Attempted Murder Charge For Shooting At Weston Co. Deputy
A man accused of firing at a Weston County deputy who helped him get a hotel room is headed to district court on attempted second-degree murder charges. He told DCI agents he remembered the deputy getting him the room — but not shooting at him.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 21, 2026

Cheyenne Mom Admits Starving 50-Pound 13-Year-Old Son To Point Of Near Death
Through tears and with a shaky voice, the mother of a 50-pound 13-year-old admitted in a Cheyenne courtroom Monday morning she intentionally starved the boy to the point of pushing the teen close to death. Her husband’s child abuse trial starts Tuesday.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 21, 2026

Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty To 2018 Saratoga Fishing Derby Scam, Faces 20 Years
A Connecticut man pleaded guilty last week to scamming the 2018 Saratoga Ice Fishing Derby. He sold an insurance policy against the derby’s $10,000 prize, and when someone caught the fish, he didn’t pay out. Kevin Kolenda faces up to 20 years in prison.
Renée JeanSeptember 21, 2026

Early-Morning Shooting In Casper Leaves One Man Dead, Another In Custody
A Casper man was shot and killed early Saturday morning during what local police say is believed to be an altercation between two men who knew each other. “The apparent shooter is in custody and is cooperating with police,” the CPD reports.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 19, 2026

Investigators Say No Evidence Horrific Wyoming Truck Stop Stabbing A ‘Hate Crime’
While a congressman links Sunday’s Wyoming truck stop stabbing to what he calls racist messaging from the Trump administration, investigators say there’s no evidence it was a hate crime. So far “we have zero motive,” says a sheriff’s office spokesman.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 19, 2026

‘We Fought Him Off’: Women Describe Fight For Their Lives On Buffalo Trail
A Buffalo man faces attempted second-degree murder charges after allegedly attacking two women walking their dogs along the popular Clear Creek Trail. “We fought him off,” one woman told police, describing how they battled their attacker with rocks.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 18, 2026

Goshen County Man Accused Of Embezzling $700,000 From Dad's Business
A Goshen County man accused of siphoning nearly $700,000 from his father's businesses is demanding a speedy trial. He faces eight forgery charges and 80 years behind bars for an alleged yearslong scheme involving payroll, customer payments, checks and transfers.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 18, 2026
